Exactly one year ago on May 2, 2025, Arman Tsarukyan fought at a Karate Combat event against Makkasharip Zaynukov, which initially seemed like a one-off appearance. Since then, Tsarukyan has competed nine additional times under various rulesets including grappling, submission-only, and freestyle wrestling across four different promotions, not counting MMA. Only four of his ten non-MMA bouts went to decision, with notable submission victories over Mehdi, Freire, and Henderson. The RAF league has experienced significant growth alongside Tsarukyan and now wants him at every event, already booking him for two fights just two weeks apart. His social media presence has also exploded, doubling his subscriber count, growing a Telegram channel from zero to over 100,000 followers, and accumulating more than 5 million views on vlogs.
One year after his debut at a Karate Combat event on May 2, 2025, Arman Tsarukyan has quietly built one of the most active non-MMA competitive records of any elite fighter in the sport.
What initially appeared to be a single crossover appearance against Makkasharip Zaynukov has since grown into a full parallel career. Over the past twelve months, Tsarukyan has competed nine additional times outside of MMA, spanning grappling, submission-only, and freestyle wrestling across four separate promotions. Of those ten total non-MMA bouts, only four went the distance. He picked up notable submission victories over Mehdi, Freire, and Henderson along the way.
Tsarukyan, 29, enters this period as the number-one ranked lightweight contender in the UFC. The Armenian-born Russian fighter, representing American Top Team, carries a 23-3 professional MMA record and has long been regarded as one of the most well-rounded competitors in the 155-pound division. Standing five-foot-seven with a 72-inch reach, he lands 3.85 significant strikes per minute at 50 percent accuracy in MMA competition and averages 3.26 takedowns per fifteen minutes, a combination that translates naturally across combat sports disciplines.
The RAF league has been a primary beneficiary of his expanded activity, with the organization experiencing significant growth alongside his involvement. Tsarukyan is already booked for two RAF events scheduled just two weeks apart, signaling the promotion's intent to feature him as a centerpiece attraction.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan has become one of the most multi-disciplinary active fighters at the top of a major UFC division
- His submission victories in non-MMA competition add a layer to his profile beyond his well-documented MMA striking and wrestling
- The RAF league's rapid growth reflects broader appetite for elite MMA names competing under alternative rulesets
- His social media audience has doubled in subscriber count, with a Telegram channel growing from zero to over 100,000 followers and more than 5 million vlog views accumulated in the same span
